Springvale Secondary College students and brothers Justin (left) and Tom Le were ranked among the world’s top one per cent of students for the Westpac Maths Challenge.By Shaun Inguanzo
TWO Springvale students have conquered the world in mathematics.
The Westpac Maths Competition held in August put 433,309 students from 3669 schools worldwide through a mathematics test.
Springvale Secondary College students and brothers Justin and Tom Le ranked in the world’s top one per cent of achievers.
The result topped off an amazing year for the college, which normally fields a strong performance in the annual competition.
School publicity officer Richard Armitage said out of 48 entries from Springvale Secondary College, it received two prize results, two high distinctions, seven distinctions, 22 credits and 15 participation certificates.
Springvale Secondary College maths coordinator Ron Olson said the brothers were dedicated to mathematics and enjoyed a challenge.
“They both have personal characteristics of dedication and enjoyment in solving maths problems,” he said.
“I think (what drives them) is probably the challenge of competing against other people at the same age level.
“Overall, our results are above average for a small school.”
Mr Olson had not seen the final test papers, but considering the Le brothers’ amazing feat, said it was “safe to say they were nearly perfect papers.”
The brothers are both participating in Springvale Secondary College’s accelerated maths program, which will see them undertake VCE mathematics as early as year 10.
The program starts in year eight, and Tom, a year nine student, is already involved in the program.
Justin is in year seven and will have to wait until next year to begin.
Until then, the pair will continue to enjoy their achievement, which included a $40 prize for Justin and $50 prize for Tom.
